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DU Alumni at LSE

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DU Beat got the opportunity to talk to Medhavi Mathur, Psychology graduate from Lady Shri Ram College, who is mastering in Organisational and Social Psychology at London School of Economics and Political Science. She gives us an insight into the life of a student at LSE and what it is like to live so far away from home.

Q. What apprehensions did you face when you decided to move away from home and to a different country?What should an Indian student keep in mind before deciding to undertake a course abroad?

It was in my fifth semester of under graduation that a friend of mine suggested that I should consider applying to the UK (primarily London) due to the diversity of course choices offered at the M.Sc level. I decided to give it a shot and applied to a number of universities across London after carefully considering their criteria for admission into several courses of study. Till then, I wasn’t even sure of stepping outside of India! This was going to be my first time outside of home, alone, and was initially very nervous about how the entire journey is going to be like.

After a month of applying, I started receiving offers from a number of universities. By that time I had decided, my choice to study in London would depend only on successful offers from two of the most prestigious universities – The London School of Economics and Kings College London. I finally chose LSE over KCL after carefully considering the pros and cons associated with the courses offered at the two colleges, the faculty, methods of teaching and because of LSE’s brand name and prestige. After all, it is the leading social science institution in the world.

I had visited UK in 2005 and loved my experience here in every way possible – be it about the magnificent surroundings, the most beautiful cruise on the Thames, the calm and peaceful environment, the diverse international cuisines available (yes, I love experimenting with different varieties of food) and how crazy one can go shopping here!

Definitely, all international students must consider their fit with respect to settling down into a global city with a diverse range of people and cultures and in a study environment which is in total contrast with how we have in India. It’s about getting accustomed to the rigour of academics, unlearning a little bit of how we’ve been trained to study and ultimately about being able to make the most that this vibrant and exciting city in the world has to offer!

I was always fascinated by life and culture outside of India and wished to study abroad. Who knew, this opportunity was in store for me!

Q. How is the education system in UK different from that in India (DU specifically)?

The education system in India is in stark contrast to how teaching takes place here in London. I had to leave behind my almost annoying habit of cramming the contents of various courses before every exam and rather learn about the practical application of the subject matter taught. The school assesses students on a continuous basis with respect to student presentations during seminars, class discussions, several short multiple choice exams and finally the summative assessment involving essay writing with respect to real world applications of the course content, examinations and finally the M.Sc dissertations.

Academic supervisors provide feedback on every report or essay you submit which further improves the quality of work submitted during the finals.

I feel that an education system which incorporates all the above listed elements in addition to teaching students how to carry out field work in the real world to learn about the practical value of what they are being taught will help students learn in a better and comprehensive manner.

The LSE campus provides superb academic and support facilities, such as the British Library of Political and Economic Science.

Q. How would you say your degree at LSE compares to similar degrees in other institutes in terms of syllabus/ subject content and future prospects?

Like any other student, I too dreamt of studying at a prestigious institution like London School of Economics and Political Science whereby I would have the opportunity of being mentored by one of the best faculty, interacting with a plethora of students from varied cultural backgrounds which would help in widening my horizons and give me a wider comprehension of the global community.

I opted for this course specifically as my prime interest lies in the social-organizational nexus and the academic stream provided by LSE is a synthesis of social and psychological processes with focus on interdisciplinary domains between organizations and communities. Since the mode of teaching involves lectures, seminars, independent study and a dissertation, it helps merge practical experience with deep academic analysis.

The course is impressive and optimally geared towards the fulfilment of my professional capabilities. As the course provides with the main theoretical and research modules used within work and organizational psychology, it has helped optimise my interest and nascent acumen.

I chose LSE for its continuous focus on excellence, inclusivity and achievement which makes it one of the best in the world alongside many others.

Q. One often hears about how international and diverse LSE is, is it true? If settling in and feeling at home is the easy part at LSE, what is the hardest?

About 150 nationalities are represented amongst LSE’s student body and the school has the highest percentage of international students (70%) out of all British universities – ranked second in the world for the highest proportion of international students.

In my program of study itself, there are people from about 30 different language speaking nationalities.

In the initial few weeks, it surely is hard as everybody takes their own time to get comfortable and mix with the others. However, as classes and seminars begin in full swing, the process whereby students participate in a range of discussions and give seminar presentations, makes the entire adjustment process easy. Study groups form over time and help in easing out the academic burden and tension as students discuss readings and their differing points of view.

The academic and non-academic staff is very helpful and willing to guide you in every difficult scenario you encounter.

LSE provides a range of support services on campus to ensure that the whole student experience is as rewarding and enjoyable as possible, and include academic guidance, advice and counselling, a faith centre, off campus support schemes and a medical centre.

Q. Being a college student living in one of the most popular destinations in the world, how do you manage your finances apart from college tuition? What do you find yourself spending the most on?

Many students worry about the cost of living in London, but to be honest it’s easy to live economically whilst still having a great time at university. This is because being a student brings with it a lot of financial advantages. As a student, I have access to discounts, cheap social activities, and the flexibility to do part-time work. An easy way to access lots of discounts at once was to get an NUS Extra card, which gets you 10-20% discounts on fashion, food (London is the place to be for all food lovers, like me), cinema tickets, travel and coach cards.

I tend to spend money mostly on travel and grocery. It’s a good idea to walk back from college one side and enjoy the breath-taking view simultaneously. When it comes to grocery, if you’re in a self-catered accommodation, it’s a good idea to team up with your neighbours in halls to do a group shop, and take turns to cook for everyone – bulk buying for a group is much cheaper (and less wasteful) than cooking for one. Once you’re into the habit of managing your money, it makes life a lot easier and less stressful!

Q. What is a typical day on campus like?

Every day on campus brings with it something new to learn. Be it about exploring a new building, or a café, learning about an unheard of phenomenon or simply being spell bound by the lectures delivered by the professors.

In addition to attending classes and seminar groups you are assigned to, students have a lot of readings to complete before their classes. As a result, the 4 floor LSE library is a home to students who have access to Mac and regular PCs (about a thousand of them, if not more) to complete their coursework and readings. The Library, which is a paradise for avid readers is equipped with additional high tech facilities and enables students and teachers to gain ample knowledge through the easy availability of a collection of outstanding national and international publications and journals. The school also provides superb academic and support facilities.

LSE also has one of the most prestigious public event programmes in the world. I was fortunate enough to have heard Amartya Sen speak about his latest publication in November last year. The school also offers several networking opportunities and has established a global network with a small number of high quality universities across the world. In my first week, I was confident to have made the right choice.

The LSE’s career service is extremely helpful as it provides comprehensive career guidance and employment services for students seeking information on graduate employment and further study. They run a wide range of career events on campus, one-to-one career discussion and CV checking appointments, and the website is full of information to help students research and achieve their career objectives.

With respect to sports facilities, there’s the LSE Students’ Union gym, an activity studio, a badminton court, a sports ground, a fancy Gymbox, tennis courts and a swimming pool.

Q. What has been your most profound memory at LSE so far?

There’s no one memory that I can enlist here. However, a department trip to Cumberland Lodge has been one of the most delightful experiences here with fellow students. The opportunity to explore the city of Windsor in addition to being served lavish English meals, engaging talks on a variety of phenomena and the dance bar was an exotic event in itself. Apart from that, a number of networking events and business dinners have helped provide insight into the real world of work culture and ethics. The prospect of discovering oneself while gaining an understanding of a different culture and people has further broadened my understanding of humanity. This has given me a chance to become an independent and free thinking individual.

The campus is always buzzing with activities and fairs, offers amazing in house eating cafes and has a bar of its own- LSE is responsible for providing a lavish environment to every student who is looking for a once in a lifetime experience.

Since LSE is located in the heart of London, there is never a dull moment. London offers more than nearly every other city when it comes to entertainment, culture and experiences. In addition, a plethora of shopping places and ambrosial cafes can never stop amazing you. If, you’re willing to tour around, London can never exhaust you. I was left awe struck by the view one gets to see at night from on top of the Jubilee Bridge. It’s a must visit on your stay in London.

 

Read more about our series on DU Alumni at the London School of Economics and Political Science.  

DU Beat Questionnaire: DU Alumni at LSE

Prakriti Gupta, MSc Gender, Media and Culture

Hometown: New Delhi

College and course for undergraduate studies: Lady Shri Ram College for Women, BA (H) Journalism

 

Q.What apprehensions did you face when you decided to move away from home and to a different country? What should an Indian student keep in mind before deciding to undertake a course abroad?

 

I have lived in Delhi all my life with my parents, I went to school and college here and I have never lived alone. The first thing that stung my parents more than me was ‘how will she manage?’ more so as I am the younger child. The offer was from LSE, so there was no question of not going. First thing that came to mind was that what if I don’t make any friends here and I don’t fit in. Education in India is quite different from UK, after all.

I didn’t have any preconceived notions as such about UK, I did know that I will be living in Central London for a year and that itself was enough to make me happy.

So the most important thing before taking a course abroad is to ask yourself “how do I see myself 5-10 years down the line?” and then think about how will the course help you in achieving that. Studying abroad is expensive and it is really important to be sure of what you want out of that 1-2 year/s that you will be spending there. Everything else can be managed

 

Q. How is the education system in UK different from that in India (DU specifically)? What changes must India begin inculcating immediately?

 

I wouldn’t say that education system in India is bad per se as it prepares us to work under pressure and to work hard. What it doesn’t prepare us for is to work consistently, which is extremely important when you are studying abroad. There’s hardly any written examination for my course but every week is important. One has to be consistent in the coursework. Research agendas are taken very seriously here, something that is a little loose in an undergrad in India.

The changes that India should begin with are promoting knowledge-based exams and not one that’s based on how much one can cram in a fortnight. Scoring in India is comparatively easier because of this very reason. Also, incorporating a dissertation/research project in all degrees so that students can have a basic understanding of what it is to conduct a research independently. In my undergrad degree we had this and it has been helping me in my master’s program.

 

Q. How would you say your degree at LSE compares to similar degrees in other institutes in terms of syllabus/ subject content and future prospects?

I received offers from other universities but the Gender Institute at LSE is the largest research and teaching unit of its kind in Europe, plus LSE is a bigger brand. So it was only logical to go with LSE over other options that I had. Other universities do not share LSE’s love for gender except SOAS, which is perhaps, can be considered. LSE provides us with a wide range of courses to choose from and has the best teaching faculty who make sure that every student is comfortable with what they are doing.

 

Q.One often hears about how international and diverse LSE is, is it true? If settling in and feeling at home is the easy part at LSE, what is the hardest?

It is absolutely true. LSE is extremely diverse and multicultural. One can here all languages spoken on campus. Like London, it is a mixing pot of cultures. It was a culture shock in reverse for me. There are so many Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis and a few Nepalis too that you will never feel like you are away from home at least as long as you are on campus. Settling in is easy.

The harder part is keeping track of all the events that are going on, you would want to go to all, you will miss the notice of some that you wanted to attend as there are so many things going on all the time. Also keeping pace with the coursework and the required readings for the course. LSE keeps you busy with all of these things.

 

Q.What is a typical day at campus like? What do students do when not attending classes? Are extracurriculars and sports an active part of the lifestyle of an LSE student?

A typical day at LSE would be running to the campus for a 9AM, grabbing a coffee from the LSE café on the way, attending the classes for the day, then maybe take a short breather with friends either in the café or the bar. Mostly there are many workshops to attend that LSE Careers or the Student well being Centre organizes. Sports, not so much but extra-curriculars are definitely a part of a student’s life at LSE. Music in particular, is taken seriously here.

 

Q.Being a college student living in one of the most popular destinations in the world, how do you manage your finances apart from college tuition? What do you find yourself spending the most on?

I cook at home, so for me I think I spend the most on travel, which cannot be avoided. Everybody has to spend on travel as it is quite expensive and is something, which is absolutely crucial. You can cut that down by going for a student oyster and a railcard. People who don’t cook are also spending a good amount of money on food. It is always helpful to keep an eye for various discounts, buying an NUS (National Union of Students) card etc.

Q. What has been your most profound memory at LSE so far?

The parties that our departments organize for us in the beginning and at the end of term are always the best and memorable. The friends that I have made here are the ones that I am positive will be for life. Spending time with them, even if in the library, studying is the most profound memory that I have. We are just half way through our course; I hope that we make many more.

 

Vani Vivek

[email protected]

 

Read more about our series on DU Alumni at the London School of Economics and Political Science.  

 

DU Beat got an opportunity to talk to DU alumnus Prateek Ghosal, who is pursuing MSc. Finance and Economics from the reputed London School of Economics. An Economics graduate from Kirori Mal College, he talks about his experience and the rewards of studying abroad.

Q-1. What apprehensions did you face when you decided to move away from home and to a different country? In your opinion, what should an Indian student keep in mind before deciding to undertake a course abroad?

Personally, I did not have a lot of apprehensions about studying in the UK. I more or less knew what to expect and it hasn’t been much different.
What I would advise students deciding to undertake a course abroad is that they have to be very particular about their interests and take up a course and an institute that is in sync with their ambitions. Everyone has to make a big investment – the tuition fees can be abnormally high but I believe the return on the investment both in terms of monetary value/career prospects and in terms of personal development (maturity, independence) is certainly high. The courses can be particularly challenging as you’re competing against the best students from around the world but the learning curve is extremely steep. At the end of it, it is up to you how you utilize your time abroad because there is a world of opportunities to exploit but you have to be focused and brave enough to take them up!

Q-2. How is the education system in UK different from that in India (DU specifically)?

This is a highly debatable question – there are quite a few things that are different in the education systems. Something that I particularly found impressive about LSE’s system was that the exam questions always make you think. There is never a strict pattern you can learn and apply in your questions. In DU, I sort of knew what to expect and I could apply a set methodology. Examinations here always make you think and use your concepts in different ways to ensure that you’ve thoroughly understood the material – there are hardly any direct questions. In the end, you are forced to thoroughly learn the material and understand the core concepts. Students usually score less marks, but you get a merit with 60% so it’s all relative. Another thing that I think DU really misses is ‘practicality’ and ‘industry applications’. Most of my subjects have industry speakers coming in and explaining how they use the methods being taught to us in the real world. I’ve had bankers and economists explain how they use different models and then academicians explaining their research content and debating ideologies. It is always good to know how marketable the tools we learn are – whether in the corporate world or the world of academia.

Q-3. How would you say your degree at LSE compares to similar degrees in other institutes in terms of syllabus/ subject content and future prospects?

It was hard to decide initially. I had the opportunity to do my Masters in Economics at Delhi School of Economics which is especially renowned in the country but I was a bit more inclined towards finance specifically and there weren’t a lot of options in India. I think the opportunity of studying in the heart of London – one of the major financial hubs of the world and at LSE – a globally renowned institution was something that I could not let go of. My specific course is quite unique in the sense that it is jointly run by two of LSE’s strongest departments – Economics and Finance, giving me the best of the two worlds. The course content is in sync with my interests in being very quantitative and analytical. I have always loved challenges, but I think my entire class agrees that this particular course has been the hardest thing we’ve ever done. With regard to alternative universities, there aren’t a lot of institutions that offer an MSc Finance and Economics program and LSE’s particular program is especially reputed even for students wishing to do a PHD in Finance/Economics – a big share of the class go on to complete their PHD’s from top Ivy League colleges. Job prospects in the UK can be hard for international students because of UK’s strict work visa regulations but some do manage to get jobs. Otherwise, statistics show that the highest number of Investment Bankers in Europe are from the LSE so there are clearly  opportunities to exploit.

Q-4. One often hears about how international and diverse LSE is. Is it true? If settling in and feeling at home is the easy part at LSE, what is the hardest?

Yes, it is indeed true that LSE is very diverse and multi-cultural. In fact, I find London the same – a typical bus journey from my accommodation to LSE involves listening to people speak in at least 4-5 different languages everyday! Personally for me, the hardest part has been getting used to the rigorous work culture – not only in terms of academic work but also applying for jobs and at the same time maintaining your livelihood (DU was so much more ‘chill’). On top of that, coming back home after a hard day’s work and not having some delicious home-cooked food to cheer you up is something that I really missed initially. But with time, I think you get used to the work ethic and develop your own independent lifestyle, which is very enriching in it self.

Q-5. What is a typical day at campus like?

Personally for me, the LSE experience revolves around the ‘Work hard, Play hard’ culture which is exactly what I’ve always wanted. A typical day involves alternating between classes and the library, but once you’re done with the work (once in a while), there is a world of recreational activities that you can enjoy. LSE probably has a specific society to satiate everyone’s specific interests. From ‘wine-tasting’ to ‘Bollywood nights’ – you can explore infinite different things to do. I’ve personally joined the music society and enjoy a weekly jam session with a band that I’ve formed here. Regarding sports, there are different teams for every specific sport which are further divided into categories to match your playing level, so that you can always enjoy a game irrespective of your skill-set. Apart from that, there are a number of pubs and restaurants around campus making it quite lively. At the end of the day, you’re in the heart of London so everything is literally a bus/tube ride away.

Q-6. Being a college student living in one of the most popular destinations in the world, how do you manage your finances apart from college tuition? What do you find yourself spending the most on?

To be very frank, London is an expensive city and coming from India, the exchange rate really hits us hard. Having said that, there are numerous ways to economize your expenses. London is extremely ‘student-friendly’ and almost every place, from barbers to restaurants, offer student-discounts making it relatively nominal. I also follow a weekly budget to ensure that I don’t go over a given threshold. Moreover, if you know the right places to shop, you’ll limit your expenses without compromising on your lifestyle.

Q-7. What has been your most profound memory at LSE so far?

Well, that’s difficult to answer. I think what I’ve really enjoyed is attending speaker sessions at LSE. This included industrialists and practitioners, from Nobel Laureates such as Amartya Sen & Robert Shiller to world-renowned hedge-fund managers and bankers. These sessions have opened up my mind to so many different things in life and changed my perspectives on others – something that I’ll always remember. On the fun side, my most profound memory has to be our department trip to Brighton where my team won the treasure hunt challenge spanning 20+ groups. After 6-7 hours of intensive challenges and events across the city of Brighton, we were delighted to know that we had been crowned winners!

Read more about our series on DU Alumni at the London School of Economics and Political Science.